Close To Home, A World Away
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www.blockislandinfo.com
A NATURAL
WONDER
With 43 percent of the Island preserved forever as open space,
it's no surprise that organizations from around the world have
recognized Block Island's natural wonders as some of the most
beautiful and prestigious in the hemisphere. But don't take our
word for it. Come visit and you'll be amazed.
T
He naTural World on
Block Island is unique
on the east coast. While this
Island is small, only about 6,000 acres,
a lot is packed into this area. There
is an incredible diversity of birds, in-
sects, plants, sea life and habitats that
can all be found coexisting.
Block Island is also in the flight
path of many migratory songbirds
making their first trip south in the
fall. Birding in the fall is one of my
favorite things to do because you
never know what will show up. I have
birded all over the world and, for my
money, there is no place more fun to
bird-watch than Block Island in the
fall.
This is especially true when a
northwest wind blows and the birds
"fallout" on the Island. In addition
to the songbirds, it is always exciting
to locate migrating raptors like the
peregrine falcon, merlin and cooper's
hawk soaring over the Island looking
for a quick meal.
In the winter, the marine mammal
displays are spectacular. you can ob-
serve seals sitting on the rocks, watch
harbor porpoises jumping out of the
water from the ferry; and maybe even
spot whales spouting off the south
side of the Island. It never gets old to
see these wonderful creatures make
their presence known.
In the spring, the diversity of life
on the Island awakens from its winter
slumber. you can hear the deafening
call of the spring peeper, watch the
mating ritual of the American wood-
cock and see plants starting to leaf
out and bloom. No matter where you
are on Block Island in the spring, the
natural world is all around you.
Block Island is easy to explore
with 28 miles of walking trails that
lead throughout the Island, allowing
everyone to enjoy the many differ-
ent habitats found here. These trails,
combined with
the public roads
and the beaches,
provide unprec-
edented access
to much of the
Island.
I have spent
many years
observing the
natural world on Block Island, and
continue to see and learn new things
every day. one of the greatest things
about living or spending time on
this Island is how connected you feel
to the world around you. It is only
through experiencing the nature of
Block Island that you can tap into the
true essence of this amazing place.
Scott Comings
Director
Block Island Program
The Nature Conservancy